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ABC postpones pre-Oscars interviews with Walters

Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2003

By Associated Press

NEW YORK - ABC has postponed Barbara Walters' annual pre-Oscars interview special on Sunday night because of the potential war with Iraq.

"With such serious issues facing the nation, it was the right decision to postpone the special," Walters said on Wednesday. It was to feature interviews with Nicolas Cage, Renee Zellweger, Julianne Moore.

Producers of the Academy Awards said late Tuesday that they still planned to go on with the show, but have canceled the splashy red carpet arrivals for celebrities because it would set an inappropriate tone.

If war is under way by Sunday night, there was a strong chance Walters' special would be pre-empted for news coverage anyway. The same possibility exists for the Oscar ceremony, as well.

With the toned-down runway in front of the Kodak Theatre, it remained unclear Wednesday what the E! Entertainment network would do with one of its most popular programs: Joan Rivers' annual show dissecting fashions of the stars.

ABC said no decision has been made on what will replace the Walters show if war hasn't begun.